Motherwell 1 - 0 Aberdeen: Steelmen show mettle for Europe

IN THIS season of tumult, who could possibly have foreseen that Motherwell would sit in joint second place in the SPL as the final matches approached.

Yes, the Ibrox meltdown has given them the chance of Champions League football next season, but as they showed against Aberdeen yesterday, the Steelmen have the grit and determination to seize the opportunity.

It wasn’t pretty, especially in the second half when Aberdeen fought back, but Motherwell did enough to deserve their win, and their next home match against Rangers in a fortnight now takes on special significance. If Rangers are still in administration on 31 March, as they seem likely to be, then depending on results elsewhere, Motherwell could clinch European football for certain that afternoon. Stuart McCall and his men deserve that reward.

Having met just last Sunday in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, it might well have been a case of deja vu when the two sides clashed again yesterday, but there were changes to both line-ups, including an entirely new central defence for Motherwell in the shape of Jonathan Page and debutant Adam Cummins, while Tom Clancy, Shaun Hutchinson and Keith Lasley were all suspended for the home side. Aberdeen’s main enforced change was Gavin Rae returning after being cup-tied and replacing the injured Fraser Fyvie who will be out for a month.

Perhaps unsurprisingly after their heroics in the cup, Aberdeen lacked sparkle at first and indeed it took them until well into the second half to get going.

The first 20 minutes or so had been almost devoid of notable incident apart from Aberdeen captain Andrew Considine getting himself booked in the 16th minute for hauling down Henrik Ojaama. Referee Ian Brines seemed to take his time to reflect on whether Considine had been the last man between Ojaama and goal, but correctly refrained from showing a red instead of yellow card, though that was not the end of the tussles between the two players and Considine lived dangerously with a couple of later tackles on the Estonian.

Just as it seemed we were in for a dull match, up popped Motherwell captain Stevie Hammell with a quite outstanding goal after 22 minutes. Ojaama collected the ball and played it square to the up-with-play Hammell who let fly from about 30 yards, the ball fairly bulging the net behind the helpless Jason Brown.

The goal settled the home side’s nerves and they went on to dominate the rest of the first half. With their defence solid, their midfielders in control, Chris Humphrey doing a power of work on the right and the skilful prompting of Ojaama always on call, the passing play of Motherwell was a delight to watch and only Brown’s heroics kept the score down as he defied Stuart Carswell with a fine one-handed save and then stopped Nicky Law’s attempt.

It was Law who looked set to score after 37 minutes, but Rory McArdle just got his header in to prevent what would have been a certain goal. Law then turned provider with a fine cross which Steve Jennings headed high towards goal only for Brown to make a fine save.

Considine went forward in the final minute of the half, but his shot soared high over the crossbar of Darren Randolph who had been a virtual spectator for much of the half.

It was Brown to the rescue at the other end when Carswell let fly from 25 yards, the Aberdeen goalkeeper getting down low to save the shot.

As the half wore on, Aberdeen roused themselves and, for the first time, Randolph was called into serious action, saving superbly from Scott Vernon with a tip over the bar. From the resultant corner, Rory Fallon headed just wide of the post.

The young and makeshift central defence of Motherwell now came under pressure, and to their credit Page and Cummins did not crumble. They had Hammell alongside to keep them right, and the Motherwell captain led by example.

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown used all his substitutes to refresh his side’s attack and it nearly worked. Bookings for Page and Hately showed that Motherwell were under pressure, although, overall, the greater sinners were the visitors with Clark Robertson, Kari Arnason and Rory McArdle joining Considine in the book.

Motherwell put up the shutters and were nearly very clever on the break, the sheer speed of Humphrey and the strength of Higdon coming to the fore as Ojaama faded towards the end.

Substitutes Mitch Megginson and Mohamed Chalali both had chances near the end, either side of an Arnason effort saved by Brown. Try as they might, however, Aberdeen just could not get the equaliser.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Stevie Hammell (Motherwell) For marshalling a young defence and scoring a stunner, he gets the nod.

TALKING POINT: Referee Iain Brines did not book anyone in two Motherwell matches last season. As if to make up for it he booked six.

Referee: I Brines. Attendance: 4,637